India Ready To Welcome Back Foreign Tourists After Year And A Half, With A Rider

New Delhi: India is set to welcome back foreign tourists to its shores after over a year and a half.

The Central government, which had suspended tourist visas in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, announced on Thursday that it will begin issuing visas from October 15.

For a month, though, tourists will be allowed entry into India only on chartered flights. Those wanting to travel on scheduled commercial flights will have to wait till November 15.

“After considering various inputs, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has decided to begin granting of fresh Tourist Visas for foreigners coming to India through chartered flights with effect from October 15, 2021,” the ministry said in a statement, adding that foreign tourists entering India by flights other than chartered aircraft would be able to do so only with effect from November 15 on fresh Tourist Visas.

“All due protocols and norms relating to COVID-19 as notified by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare from time to time shall be adhered to by the foreign tourists, carriers bringing them into India and all other stakeholders at landing stations,” the statement added.